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ON THE WAY TO THE FRONT 13
familiarise myself in some measure with these subjects.
But it was evident to me from the beginning that I should
always have to observe the utmost tact and discretion, and
even avoid obtaining knowledge of military matters which
ought to remain secret until the end of the campaign. This
veto comprised the distribution of German forces, army corps,
divisions, regiments and other units, as well as any regrouping
of forces which might be effected during my presence at the
front. I was destined often to hear of such details, but made
up my mind to take no notes in that connection.
Neither did I propose to embody in my narrative any
account of the events that led up to the war or of the Notes
despatched hither and thither across Europe during the days
preceding its outbreak. All this had been fully dealt with
before. My book was only to constitute a conscientious
account of what I myself had seen and experienced whilst I
was the guest of the German Army in the field. Towards
this army and towards the German people I thus incurred a
certain responsibility—my sketch, in order to possess any
value, must therefore be a true and faithful one. Towards
Germany’s enemies I also had a duty, not to be unfair to them,
I further felt a certain responsibility towards Swedish officers
as a body, for although it might have been my wish that my
observations should be of use to them, it was more than
doubtful whether I should succeed in my object. As regards
the public, whatever I might witness, I had to guard against
the temptation to satisfy its craving after sensation. Besides,
it was evident to me that in a modern war there was very
little to be left to the imagination, and that the reality would
in most cases render it unnecessary to strive after effect. I
wanted to describe life and death on the battlefield, that
was all.
Such were my thoughts and plans at the beginning of
September. They had arisen and matured in my own mind
without the shadow of any incentive from German or Swedish
quarters. When I had made up my mind, all that remained
for me to do was to obtain permission to go to the front and
to spend some time with the German Army. With this object
I applied to the German Minister in Stockholm, His Excellency
von Reichenau, who with the greatest kindness undertook to
transmit my request to the competent authority in Germany.
After waiting a week I received a very courteous reply saying
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